Glass-tank construction



March 29 1927.

J. ROTHERAM ET AL.

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March 29,1927. 22,346

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J. ROTHERAM ET AL GLASS TANK CONSTRUCTION F'ilgd July 20. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 mum u WIN l/E N T0 35 March 29 1927.

J. ROTHERAM ET AL GLASS TANK CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 20, 1926 HIL s R m N m w fuL . at the proper level.

is the provisionof improvedmeans for pre-" Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

. 1,622,346 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ROTHERAM, OP CREIGHTON, AND ALBERT E. EVANS, OF PITTSBURGH, PENN- SYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS T PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

GLASS-TANK CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed July 20, 1926. Scrial No. 123,628.

The invention relates to a tank or furnace construction and particularly to that employed at the outlet .end of a tank from which glass is continuously withdrawn in the form of a sheet or ribbon. The invention has for one of its primary objects the provision of an arrangement which will add to the safety of the tank. A further object is the provision of' improved means for supporting the outlet slot member and for pcsition ng' it with exactness to bring the-slot A still further object venting the slot member from being bent or sprung outwardly intermediate 1ts ends under the pressure of the head of molten glass in the tank. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line II-I1 of Fig. 1.. Fig. 3 is a partial front-,elevation and partial vertical section on the line III-III of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the supporting beams for the outlet member, Fig. 4 being a front elevation and Fig. 5 a plan View. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 aredetail views of the pressing device for the lower beam of the outlet member, Fig. -6 being a plan view, Fig. 7 being a section on the line VIIVII of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 being a section on the line VHF-VIII of Fig. 6. And Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are detail views drone of "the arch or roof members, Fig. 9 being a plan view, Fig. 10 a longitudinal section, and Fig. 11 a transverse section on the line XI-XI of Fig. 10.

Referring to the generalarrangement of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 1 is the forward end of a glass melting tank and 2 is the forehearth of such tank, from which molten glass is delivered between the sizing rolls 3 and 4 and thence over the apron 5 and into a leer, the rolls and apron being supported upon a truck 6 carried by the wheels 7. The roof of the forehearth is made up of themovable members 8 and 9 between which is mounted the gate 10. '1his gate is. provided with suitable overhead lifting means, not shown, and when lowered serves to cut off the How of glass to the sizing rolls 3 and 4. When in the position shown, this gate closes the space between the roof members 8 and 9, so that preferably supported by vertical I-beams 11,

12 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, as indicated in Fig. 2, such vertical I-beams also serving as supports for other parts, as hereinafter set forth." Extending transversely of the front wall of the tank at the lower portion thereof, are the three beams 18, 19 and 20, which beams engage the vertical bars 21 resting against the clay work of the furnace. The beams are preferably made up of channels, as indicated in Fig. 1, the lower beam being supported from the foundation channel 22 by means of posts 23 arranged at suitable intervals along the length of the beams. The ends of the beams 18, 19 and 20 are provided with the caps 24, and these caps are secured to the I-beams 15 by means of the turnbuckles 25 (Fig. 2). The beams are preferably made hollow and provided with suitable connections 26, 27 whereby a cooling fluid, such as water, may be circulated through the beams. This adds a large degree of safety to the apparatus, as it sometimes happens that a flow of glasi escapes through the slot member 28 and down the front wall of the tank, or the slot may give way, and the heat from this mass of glass is sufficient to'soften the metal supporting beams, unless protected in some way. The fa lure of these beams, and the consequent failure f support to the clay work at the front side of the tank might result in the accldental emptying of the tank and involve great loss and damage.

The. slot member 28 is of clay and provided with the outlet opening 29 through which a flow of glass to the sizing rolls 3 and 4 occurs. This slot member is supported at its. lower edges by the transverse metal day work a substantial distance in order to, give a firm support to the clay work against outward movement. These beams are pref- "erably in the form 'of hollow castings of great strength and rigidity and are provided with connections 34 and 35 (Figs 4 and 5) whereby a flow of cooling flui ch as air or water, may be directed through the members, and thus protect them from weak ening incident to theapplication of a high degree of heat. Thisprovision for cooling adds to the safety of the slot member for the 36, 36 so that on tightening these bolts, the

ole .meinber 28 is clamped therebetween. Ot er clamping means for the sides of the clay member are also provided in the form of the plates 37 and 38, which are moved inward by means of the screws 39: In order to clamp the slot member tightly against.

the front wall of the forehearth. the tie rods 40v are employed, such tie rods extending through the perforations 41 in the ends of the beam. members and being secured at their'other ends to the vertical I beams 14. Additional security isafio'rded by the clamping means 42 (Fig. 2) which engage the beams 12 and pass around the rods. 40. Additional support for the vertical corner portions 43 of the forehearth walls is also provided by the diagonal connecting rods 44 (Fi 2), which are hooked around the vertica bolts 36 at their. inner ends (Fig. 3) and at their other ends extend through brackets 45 riveted or welded to the vertical I-beams 11.. The connecting rods 44 in connection with the beams 30 and 31, thus pro vide horizontal tie rods extending from the vertical I-beams 11 on one side of the foreside, thus adding a substantial degree of strength to the framework supporting the forehearth. In order to prevent the. beam 31 from sagging, bolts 46 .are employed- (hlgs. 1 and 4), which extend through the walls of the beam 31 and engage the beam 18' lyin therebeneath. These bolts are threaded t rough nuts 47 seated in recesses in the lower we. of the beam 31 and by turning the heads of the bolts they may be brought down into engagement with the beam' 18 and provide the necessary support.

In order to brace the beam 31 against forward deflection, the central supporting bar 48 is employed, such support being shown in Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8. This bar is mounted for sliding movement in the top of the truck 6 and may be'moved inward by means of the bell crank lever 49, pivoted at 50 to abracket 51 secured to the truck body and operated by the connecting rod 52..

This connecting rod extends through a U- shaped bracket- 53 at the rear end of. the truck, and is engaged by a nut 54, such nut having a flange 55 lying beneath the perforated strip 56 so that a swivel support is provided 0 r the nut and it is held against movement in either direction; By rotating the nut, the bell crank lever 49 'isswung so that the" forward member of the rod- 48 presses tightly against the beam 31, and thus tends to'prevent any deflection :outward of v the "central portion of this beam. 7

The roof or arch members 8 and 9, which lie totherear of'the slot member 28 are preferably constructedas shown in Figs. -9, 10,

and 11-. Each member consists of a frame made up of the channels 57, ,57 placed back to back and secured together-by means of the-bolts 58. This beam or frame is provided at its. ends with the downwardly projecting brackets 59, 59, such brackets preferably being in the form of steelcastings rivet-ed or bolted to the channels 57, 57. Each bracket carries four bolts 60 working. through the nuts 61 mounted in suitable recesses in the'ca'stings. The inner ends of these bolts engage the inclined face plates .62. Clamping platesv are thus ,provided' which can be moved in and out and tilted to any vdesired angle; Mounted between the face lates 62 are the refractoryblocks 63, all s ightly tapering so that the width at the lower ends 18 less than at the upper ends, giving them a wedge form. When the face plates. 62 are moved in by the clamping screws 60, so that they engage. the faces of theend blocks and clamp them, an arch is provided iving ver series of blocks.

when in use, rest u forehearth, as in icated in Fig. 3. The

he endssof the beam,

.secur'e support to the n the side wallsof the I brackets 65 carried by the beams are perforated and -provide a means whereby the beams may be engaged from an overhead crane and moved-to and from position. A movable roof for'the forehearth is thus provided, which gives a secure support tothe refractory blocks and reduces to a minimum the danger of a failure of the clay work at this point.

What we claim is: '1. The combination with a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass, androlling' means at one side thereof for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass,-of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bathand the rolling means providedwith an dutlet slot for conducting the lass to the rolling means, a, 1 hollow metal eam for supporting said memher along one side and means for circulating a cooling fluid through such beam.

to carry a bath of molten means at one side thereo ,for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and the roll- .9 2. The combination with a tank adapted glass, and rolling gber, and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said beams.

3. The combination with a tank adapted to carry abath of molten glass, and rolling means at one side thereof for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and the rolling means provided with an outlet slot for conducting the glass to the rolling means, a hollow metal beam'extending transversely of the tank below said-outlet. member and adapted to support the clay wall of the tank, and means for circulating a cooling fluid throughsaid beam.

4. The combination with a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass, and rolling means at one side thereof for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a clay outlet memberintermediate the glass bath and the rolling means provided with an. outlet slot for conducting the glass to the rolling means, a plura ity of hollow beams arranged one above the other below the outlet memher and extending transversely of the front wall of the tank and supporting it, and.

meansfor circulating a cooling. fluid throu h the beams.- I v 5. e'combination with a tank ada ted to carry a bath of molten glass, and r0 ing means at one side thereof for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and the rolling means provided with an outlet slot for conducting the .glass to the rolling means, a metal beam extending along the lower edge of said outlet member arranged to support said edge and hold it against outward movement, and a brace extending transversely of the rolls therebeneath and engaging said beam intermediate its ends and supporting it against outward movement.

6. The combination with a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass, and rolling means at one side thereof for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and the rolling means provided with an outlet slot for conductin the glass to the rolling means, a meta beam extending along the lower edge of said outlet member arranged to su port said edge and hold it against outwar movement, a brace extending transversely of the rolls therebeneath and engaging the central portion of the beam and means for adjusting the brace to cause it to exert lpgessureagainst the beam.

7. e combination with a tankadapted to carry a bath of molten glass, rolling means at one side thereof for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, a truck on which the rolling means .is seated, of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and the rolling means provided with an outlet slot for conducting the glass to the rolling sheet or ribbon of glass, of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and the rolling means provided with an outlet slot for conducting the glass to the rolling means, a pair of hollow metal beams extending along the upper and lower edges of the outlet member and adapted to support such member, vertical tie members between the ends of the beams, and means for circulating a cooling fluid through the beams.

9. The combination with a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass, and'rolling 7 means at one side thereof for forming a sheet or-ribbon of glass, of a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and. the rolling means provided with an outlet slot for conducting the glass to the rolling means,

a pair of beams extending along the upper and lower edges of the outlet member with their ends protruding out past such member,

vertical tie members between said ends, and

othertie' members. secured to said ends and extending rearwardly along the sides ofthe tank for clamping the outlet member against the front end of the tank.

10. The combination with a tank-"adapted to carry a bath of molten lass, and rolling means at .one side thereo' for forming asheetor ribbon of glass, of,v a clay outlet member intermediate the glass bath and the' rolling means provided with an outlet slot for conducting the glass to the rolling means, a pair of beams extending along the upper and lower edges of the outlet member with their ends protruding out past such member, vertical tie members between said ends. other. tie members secured to said ends and extending rearwardly along the sideof the tank for clampin the outlet member against the front wall 0 the tank, verticalsupporting beamsat the ends of said front wall, and diagonal connecting rods securing ,the ends of said pair of beams'to such vertical supporting beams.

11. In combination with a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass and having a drawin extension or forehearth at its front end of ess height than the body of the tank, and rolling means at one side for forming a sheet or ribbon'of glass, of a removable clay outlet member intermediate the end of the forehearth and the rollin means provided with an outlet slot, an constituting the upper portion of the front wall of the forehearth, and a removable roof member for the forehearth to the rear of said outlet member extending transversely of the forehearth, and comprising a metal frame with a drawing extension or forehearth at its front end of less height than the body of the tank, and rolling means at one side for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a removable clay outlet member intermediate the-end of the forehearth and the rolling means provided with an outlet slot, and constituting the upper portion of the, front wall of the forehearth, and a removable roof member for the forehearth to the rear of said outlet member extending transversely of the forehearth, and comprising a metal frame with downwardly projecting inclined end members, and a set of wedge shape refractory blocks fitting against the lower side of the frame and su ported therein by reason of their wedge shape and the engagement of the end blocks with said inclined end members, one of said end members having a movable face plate and clamping means for movmg it. I v

13. In combination with a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass and having a drawing extension or forehearth at its front end of less height than the body of the tank,

and rolling means at one side for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a removable clay outlet member intermediate the end of the forehearth and the rollingmeans provided with an outlet slot, and constituting the'upper portion of the front wall of the forehearth, and a removable roof member for the forehearth to the .rear of said outlet member extending transversely of the forehearth, and comprising a metal frame with downwardly projecting inclined end memhers, one of said endmembers having a movable face plate and clamping means for movmg 1t inward and tlltln" it. 7

14. In combination wlth a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass and having a drawing extension or forehearth at its front end of less height than the'body .of the tank,

and rolling meansat one side for formin a forehearth to the rear of said outlet member extending transversely of the forehearth, and comprising a metal frame with downwardly projecting inclined end members, and a set of wedge shape refractory blocks fitting against the lower side of the frame and supported therein by 'reason of their wedge shape and the engagement of the end blocks with said inclined end members, Said end members having movable face plates and clamping means for moving them inward.

15. In combination with a tank adapted to carry a bath of molten glass and having a drawing extension or forehearth at its front end of less height than the body of the tank, and rolling means at one side for forming a sheet or ribbon of glass, of a removable clay outlet member intermediate the end of the forehearth and the rolling means provided with an outlet slot, and constituting the upper portion of the front wall of the forehearth. and a removable roof member for the forehearth to the rear of said outlet'member extending transversely. of the forehearth, and comprising a metal frame with downwardly projecting inclined end members, and a set of Wedge shape refrac tory blocks fitting against the lower side of the frame-and supported therein by reason of their wedge shape and the engagement of the end blocks with said inclined end members, said end members having movable face plates and clamping means for moving them inward and tilting them.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

JOHN ROTHERAM. ALBERT EVANS. 

